Celtics pick Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart

Thursday

Jun 26, 2014 at 8:28 PMJun 27, 2014 at 5:55 AM

With their first pick in the NBA Draft Thursday night, the Celtics selected Smart, a 6-foot-3, 227-pound guard who averaged 18 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists as a sophomore last season. Smart can play both backcourt positions.

Howard UlmanAssociated Press

BOSTON — The rebuilding Boston Celtics have drafted guard Marcus Smart from Oklahoma State with the sixth pick of the NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-3, 227-pound Smart averaged 18 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists as a sophomore last season. He can play both guard positions and could team up with point guard Rajon Rondo or make Rondo expendable in a trade. Rondo’s contract expires after the upcoming season.

The Celtics also have the 17th pick in the first round but none in the second.

Smart plays with a competitiveness and physical nature that NBA coaches covet. He’s a solid defender but needs work on his offensive game.

The Celtics are continuing to rebuild after going 25-57, the third-worst record in club history, in their first season under coach Brad Stevens.